Waldbühne Furth im Wald — Children's Theatre The Jungle Book

Open-Air Theatre in the Bavarian Forest

Furth im Wald is a town in the Cham district of Upper Bavaria, in the Bavarian Forest near the Czech border. The Waldbühne Furth im Wald is a natural stage set amidst dense forest at the so-called Göttersitz and is considered the largest and most successful children's theatre in Eastern Bavaria. It is run by the non-profit Waldbühne Furth im Wald e.V. association, which operates the theatre on a volunteer basis.

Theatre for Children and Adults

The Waldbühne regularly stages plays for children and adults — folk theatre, summer theatre, and especially children's theatre with imaginative productions of fairy tales and folk stories. In recent years, plays such as "Peter Pan", "Urmel aus dem Eis", and "Der Räuber Hotzenplotz" have been on the programme. The natural forest setting makes every theatre visit a special experience.

2026 Season: The Jungle Book and Mein Freund Wicki

For the 2026 season (July 3 to August 15), the Waldbühne will present two plays. "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling is set in the distant jungle of India and features characters like the black panther Bagheera, the python Kaa, the bear Baloo, vultures, elephants, monkeys, and the tiger Shere Khan. "Mein Freund Wicki" tells the story of the young Viking boy Wicki, who lives in the village of Flake with his parents Ylva and Halvar and convinces with cleverness rather than strength.

Association and Volunteering

Behind the Waldbühne is a registered non-profit association that manages the theatre with numerous volunteers, amateur actors, and a large children's and youth ensemble. This volunteer structure is typical of the vibrant open-air theatre culture in Eastern Bavaria.

Significance in the Bavarian Forest Festival Summer

Alongside the Drachenstich festival, the Waldbühne Furth im Wald is a central component of the festival summer in the Bavarian Forest. As the largest open-air children's theatre in Eastern Bavaria, it attracts families from the Cham district, the entire Upper Palatinate, Lower Bavaria, and neighbouring Czech Republic.